Winch



April 21, 1942.

' WINCH Filed June 29, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. c. LAMOND 2,280,652

April 21,. 1942. R. c. LAMOND WINCH Filed June 29, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Apnl 21, 1942. R. c. LAMOND 2,230,652

WINCH Filed June 29, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 21, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINCH Application June 29, 1939, Serial No. 281,784

9 Claims.

This invention relates to winches, and more particularly to winches of the power-driven type. On board ship the winches employed, for example, to handle the anchor are usually arranged in pairs so that in the event one winch, for some reason, should become disabled the other may be brought into operation.

One object of the present invention is to provide a pair of winches, each having a motor for operating the same, and means for interconnecting the winches so that either of them may be operated by either of said motors.

A further object is to provide a novel control mechanism which prevents operation of each of said winches by both of said motors at the same time.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of the invention progresses.

Of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view partly in section of the assembled construction comprising the present invention, parts of which being removed to more clearly illustrate certain of the elements thereof.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view partly in section, showing one of the winches and the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 3 is a plan view, diagrammatic in part, of the motors for operating the winches, the gearing which enables operation of either of the winches, and the electric control mechanism associated with the motors.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing another position of the electric control elements, and of the gearing connecting the two units, and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the clutch mech anism and a portion of the gearing associated with one of the winches.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l designates the entire construction consisting in the present instance of a pair of winch units 2 and 3. Unit 2 comprises a wildcat head 4 driven by an electric motor 5 through reduction gearing indicated generally at 6. Unit 3 is similar in construction, and also consists of a wildcat driven by a motor 1 through reduction gearing indicated at 8. Units 2 and 3 are identical in construction and operation, and accordingly a detailed description of one will suflice for both.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that wildcat 4 is secured in any suitable manner to the upper end of a vertical shaft 9. In the present construction shaft 9 extends through a suitable bearing l0 secured in any suitable manner to an upper deck I l. The lower end of shaft 9 is mounted in any suitable bearing l2 secured to a lower deck l3. Mounted on the lower end of shaft 9 directly above bearing [2 is a large gear l4 which is secured in any suitable manner, to a brake drum I5, secured in any suitable manner to shaft 9, such as by keys 16. Gear l4 meshes with a smaller gear [1 secured intermediate the ends of a shaft l8. Shaft I8 is suitably journaled in bearings l9 and 20, and has secured to the reduced portion 2| thereof a relatively large gear 22, which meshes with a small pinion 23 secured to the lower end of a shaft 24. Shaft 24 is suitably journaled at the lower end thereof in a bearing 25, and extends upwardly through a sleeve 26 to which is secured a Worm wheel 21 which meshes with a worm gear 28 mounted on a shaft 29 journaled in bearings 30 and 3| provided in the end walls of casing bracket 32. The upper end of shaft 24 has keyed thereto a clutch element 33 forming one element of a clutch mechanism 34, the other element 26 of which being provided at the upper end of sleeve 26. Clutch element 33 has secured to the upper end thereof a plate 35 to which the lower end of a screw shaft 36 is secured.

Screw shaft 36 makes threaded engagement with the central bore of a hand wheel 31. To disengage clutch elements 33 and 26, hand wheel 31 is operated, which causes a vertical movement of clutch element 33. When this occurs the driving connection between worm gear 28 and pinion 23 is broken. A similar clutch mechanism indicated generally at 34' is provided for unit 3.

Shaft 29 extends through a gear casing 38 and has slidably mounted thereon a gear 39 adapted to engage a gear 40 mounted in bearings 4| and 42 provided within the casing 38. Gear 40 is constantly in mesh with a second gear 43 mounted in bearings 44 and 45, also provided within the casing 38. Gear 43 is adapted to mesh with a gear 39, similar in construction to gear 39 mounted on a shaft 29' associated with unit 3. The outer end of shaft 29 extends through the wall 46 of casing 38, and has secured thereto a gear 41. Gear 41 meshes with the annular gear 48 provided in a coupling member 49, secured to a second coupling member 50, also having an annular gear 5| provided therein. Coupling members 49 and 50 are secured together for simultaneous movement by any suitable means, such as by bolts 52. Annular gear 5| meshes with a pinion 53 integral with a slidable sleeve element 54. Sleeve 54 is keyed, or otherwise slidably secured, to a second sleeve element 55 secured in any suitable manner to the shaft 58 of motor 5. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, it is seen that upon rotation of motor 5 rotary movement is imparted to gear 53 which in turn imparts a rotary movement to couplings 5t, 49, which in turn drives shaft 29 through annular gear 28 and gear 41, thereby causing rotation of gear 39. However, when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, whereby gear 53 is disengaged from annular gear 5|, the rotary movement of motor shaft 56 cannot be imparted to couplin elements id and 50, and consequently shaft 29 remains stationary. Sleeve 54 has loosely mounted in an annular recess provided near one end thereof a ring 58 to which one end of a link 59 is pivotally attached. The other end of said link is pivotally attached intermediate the ends of a shifting lever pivoted at the upper end thereof to a bracket 6| secured to and extending outwardly from the casing of motor 5. Thus gears 5| and 53 may be engaged or disengaged by simply swinging lever 60 about its pivot.

The parts disposed between shaft 29' and motor 'I are similar in construction to those just described. In this construction also the motor shaft 56' is in axial alignment with shaft 29, the shaft 29 being actuated by coupling members h) and 58'. The outer end of shaft. 29' has secured thereto a gear il which meshes with the internal gear 4 3' secured to coupling member 4d. Coupling members 49 and 5i? are secured together in any suitable manner, such as by bolts 52. Coupling member '59 has provided therein an internal gear 5| which meshes with a gear 53', secured to a slidable sleeve slidably mounted upon a second sleeve 55', secured in any suitable manner to the motor shaft 55'. Sleeve 54- has loosely mounted near one :end thereof a ring 58' to which is pivotally secured one end of a link The other end of link 5% is pivoted intermediate the ends of .a shifting lever 50 which in turn is pivoted at the lower end thereof to a bracket i secured .to and extending outwardly from a motor From the foregoing description it is seen that should itbe desirable to operate wildcat 4 by metor 5, or the wildcat associated with unit ii'by motor I, the clutch mechanisms 35 and 36' respectively, are engaged, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. Now, upon operation of both of the motors 5 and I, it is seen that a direct connection is established between the motor shafts thereof, and the train of gears terminating in the wildcat heads to be driven thereby. New should it be desired to effect operation of wildcat t by motor I, levers G0 and 63 are actuated to the position shown in Fig. 4. Gears 3!? and 38 are also actuated into engagement with gears ll) and i3 respectively, by mechanism which will hereinafter be described in-detail. The clutch mechanism 34' associated with unit 3 is disengaged to prevent operation of both units 2 and 3 simultaneously. Upon operation of motor 7 it is now seen that wildcat 4 will be operated through the coupling members 50', 49, gears 3d, id, ill, 39, worm gear 28, and the train of gearing leading therefrom to wildcat 4. It is also seen that to drive the wildcat associated with unit 3 by the motor 5, gears 39 and 3%? are actuated to the position shown-in'Fig. 4. Lever Ell, however, is actuated to effect engagement of gears 5| and 53, while lever 66 is actuated to eifect'disengagement of gears 5| and 53'. Clutch mechanism 36 is now engaged, while clutch mechanism 34 is disengaged toprevent simultaneous operation of both nected to any suitable source of electric supply by conductors 5Q- and M respectively. Poles 55 55 and 65 of switch 82 are connected to electric motor 5 by conductors 65, 55 and 66.

.A sixth pole 61 of switch 62 is connected to a contact element 38 of a switch 559 by a conductor .16. The other contact element "ll of switch 69 is connected to a seventh pole 87 of switch 62 by a conductor it. As shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, poles 53 and 57 are connected by a conductor it, while poles 63 and 65* are connected by a conductor i l. Pole 67 on the other hand is connected to the central pole 15 of switch 62 by a conductor 13. Pole 15 is provided with a contact arm ll which is adapted to move from the central position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 into engagement with either of poles 65 or 55, as desired. When arm Ti is moved into engagement with pole 65 motor 5 rotates in one direction, and when moved into engagement with pole the motor is caused to operate in the reverse direction. When contact arm ll is in the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the circuitto the motor is interrupted; the central pole 55* being simply a connection for the return lead from the motor, and is always out of engagementwith arm 11.

Contact elements 88 and "ii may be engaged by a contact plate "it mounted on an insulated plate "Mi adapted to be actuatedby a cam 19, the arm iii! of which is connected by a link 8| .to the shifting lever St. A spring 82 normally maintains contact plate H3 out of engagement with contact elements 68 and ii.

From the foregoing description it'is seen that when lever is in the position shown in Fig. 3, contact plate ii is out of contact with contact elements 58 and H, and consequently the circuit is interrupted and motor 5 is prevented from starting.

The pcles 3 1 and 86 of switch 83 are connected to any suitable source of electric supply by conductors .85 and Poles 86 86 and 85 of switch 53 are connected to motor 7 by conductors 81F, 82" and 8?. A sixth pole 88 of switch 33 is connected to a contact point 89 of switch by means of a conductor ill, whilethe other contact point 8t of switch is connected to the seventh pole 38 of switch 33 by a conductor 92. Poles t l andiifi of switch 83 are connected by a conductor 93, while poles 84 and 86 of said switch are connected by a conductor M. Pole Sil' is connected to a central pole vby a conductor t6. Pole 55 has operatively connected thereto a contact arm ill, which is adapted to move from the central position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 into engagement with either of the poles thi or 86, as desired. When arm i3? is in engagement with pole 85 motor is caused to operate in one direction, and when said contact arm is moved into engagement with pole 88 the said motor is caused to operate in the reverse direction. Vifhen contact arm 9? is in the position shown in Fi s. 3 and 4 the circuit to the motor 1 is interrupted, the pole 66, like pole 65 of switch 62 simply being a return connection from motor 1, and accordingly is always out of contact with arm 91.

Contact points I30 and 80 of switch 90 may be closed by a contact plate 98 secured in any suitable manner to an insulated plate 98. Contact plate 98 is adapted to be actuated into engagement with contact points 89 and 89* by a cam 99, the arm 9.) of which is pivotally connected by means of a link I to the shifting lever 60.

A spring IOI normally urges contact plate 98 out of engagement with contacts points 83 and 89, when the cam 99 is in the position shown in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing description it is seen that when the shifting lever 60 is in the position shown in Fig. 3, plate 98 is out of engagement with contact points 89 and 80 and consequently the circuit to switch 83 is interrupted and motor 1 under such conditions cannot be started up. The control system contemplates a pair of additional switches I02 and I03 for controlling the operation of motors and 1 respectively.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, gear 30 has provided thereon an extended hub portion I04 having an annular groove I05 provided therein. A lever I06 pivoted intermediate its ends at I01 to the casing 38 has provided at the lower end thereof a stud E00 which enters into the annular recess I05. Accordingly, to shift gear 39 into or out of engagement with gear 40 lever I06 is simply swung on its pivot I01. Switch I02 is similar in construction to switches 69 and 90, and also comprises a pair of contact elements I I0 and I I I, the former of which is connected to conductor 10 by a conductor I I2, while the latter is connected to conductor 12 by a conductor I I3. A contact plate I I4 is adapted to engage contact elements I I0 and I I I, which plate is seated upon an insulated plate II5, which in turn is engaged by a cam member H5. Cam member II6 has secured thereto an arm I I1, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to lever I06 by a link IIB. A spring II9 is provided to urge contact plate II4 out of engagement with contact elements I I0 and III, when lever I00 is in the position shown in Fig. 4. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3 it is seen that contact plate H4 is in engagement with contact elements H0 and III, and consequently the circuit to switch 62 is closed, and motor 5 may be started upon movement of arm 11 of switch 62 into engagement with pole 05 or 65. Gear 39, it will be observed, is out of engagement with gear 40, and consequently motor 5 cannot operate the wildcat associated with unit 3, but is conditioned for driving the wildcat 4 associated with the unit 2 of which the motor 5 forms a part.

Gear 39 has also secured thereto an enlarged hub portion I04, having provided therein an annular groove I05. A lever I06 pivoted intermediate its ends at I01 has provided at one end thereof an anti-friction stud I09 which operates in groove I05, and which is adapted upon operation of lever I06 to shift gear 33 into and out of mesh with gear 43.

witch I03, like switch I02 just described, is also provided with a pair of contact elements I23 and I24 adapted to be engaged by a contact plate I25 secured to an insulated plate I26, which in turn is engaged by a cam element I21. A link I20 connects lever I05 with the arm I29 of cam element I21. A coil spring I30 actuates the contact plate I25 out of engagement with contact elements I23 and I24 when cam element I21 is moved to the position of adjustment shown in Fig. 4. Contact elements I23 and I24 are connected to conductors 9| and 92 by conductors I3I and I32, respectively. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3 it will be observed that contact plate I25 is in engagement with contact elements I23 and I24, and consequently the circuit to switch 82 is closed and motor I under such conditions may be started up. Gear 39, however, is out of mesh with gear 43, and therefore only the wildcat associated with unit 3 may be operated under these conditions by motor 1.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the contact arms 11 and 91 of switches 62 and 83, respectively, may be actuated by mechanism which will now be described in detail. Contact arm 11 is operated by a hand wheel I35, secured to the upper end of a shaft I36 extending through a casing I31, secured to the deck II. The lower end of shaft I36 is journaled in a bearing I38 provided at one side of a bracket I39, secured to and depending from the under side of deck II. The lowermost end of shaft I36 has secured thereto a bevel gear I40, which meshes with a bevel gear I4I, secured to a horizontally disposed shaft I42 mounted in bearings I43 and I44. The other end of shaft I42 has secured thereto a bevel gear i455, which meshes with a bevel gear I46 secured to the upper end of shaft I41 journaled at the upper end in a bearing I48. The lower end of shaft I41 extends through the standard I49 of switch 62, and to which is secured contact arm 11, which, as pointed out hereinbefore, is adapted for movement from the central position shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, into engagement with pole 65 or 65 The contact arm 91 of switch 02 is adapted for movement into engagement with contact elements I36 or 85, as previously described, by manipulation of a hand wheel I. Hand wheel I35 is secured to the upper end of a shaft I36, to which is also secured a bevel gear I, which meshes with a bevel gear I4I secured to a horizontally disposed shaft I42. Shaft I42 is operatively connected by a bevel gear mechanism similar to that shown in Fig. 2, to the vertical shaft I41 to which the contact arm 91 of switch 82 is secured. It therefore is apparent that by manipulation of hand wheel I35 contact arm 91 may be actuated into engagement with contact points 80 or 86 to effect the desired operation of electric motor 1.

The usual hand braking mechanism indicated enerally at I52 and I52 are provided for units 2 and 3 respectively. Braking mechanism I52 comprises the usual brake drum I5, and brake band I54, which may be tightened or loosened by manipulation of hand wheel I through any suitable interconnecting mechanism I56. Braking mechanism I52 is similar in construction, and also comprises a brake drum I5 having associated therewith the usual brake band I54 which may be manipulated by a hand wheel I55.

From the foregoing description it is seen that the Wildcats associated with units 2 or 3 may be operated through the train of gearing just described, by electric motors 5 or 1. By the provision of the electric interlocking mechanism just described, it is seen that the Wildcats associated with either of the units 2 or 3 cannot be operated by both motors 5 and 1 at the same time. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3 the Wildcats associated with unit 2 may be operated only by motor 5, while the wildcat associated with unit 3 may be operated only by motor I. When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, gears and 53' associated with the coupling element 50 are engaged, while the gear elements 5| and 53 associated with coupling element 58 are disengaged. Consequently no motion from motor 5 is transmitted to shaft 29. Levers I86 and I06 have been so shifted as to engage gears 39 and 40, and 39 and 43. Consequently the wildcat associated with unit 2 may now be operated by motor I. through shafts 553', 29', gears 39', 43, 4B, 39, shaft 29, and the train of gearing between shaft 29 and wildcat head 4.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, it will also be noted that switches I02 and 69 are opened, thereby interrupting the circuit to motor 5, and consequently said motor cannot be started. On the other hand switch 98, one of the switches which controls the circuit to motor I is closed and consequently motor I may be started. Switch Hit, the other switch which controls the starting operation of motor 1' is also opened when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4, but this is of no consequence inasmuch as the companion switch 953, which also controls the operation of motor 1, is closed. If lever 63 were actuated so as to cause engagement of gears 5| and 53, while the other parts shown in Fig. 4 remained in the same position of adjustment as therein shown, it is seen that switch 90 would be opened by movement of contact plate 98 out of engagement with contact elements 8% and 89' by spring liil. This would interrupt the circuit to motor I and consequently neither of the motors could then be started.

If it should be desired to operate the wildcat associated with unit 3 by motor 5, lever st would be shifted so as to cause the engagement of gears 5!, and 53, while lever would be actuated to elTect the disengagement of gears 5i and 53. Levers Hit and ltd would remain in the position shown in Fig. 4. Now it is seen that contact plate .78 associated with switch 6? would be moved into engagement with contact elements t8 and ll, thereby closing the circuit to motor 5 to enable the starting up of said motor. As pointed out before, when lever 60 is moved so as to cause the engagement of gears El and 53, spring HM urges contact plate 96 of switch mechanism out of engagement with contact elements 89* and 89 thereby interrupting the circuit to motor I.

From the foregoing description it is seen that a simplified, as Well as highly useful mechanism has been provided which prevents driving of either of the wildcat units by both motors at the same time, thereby preventing damage to the parts by overloading.

While the embodiment herein shown is admin ably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since it may be embodied in other forms, all coming within th scope of the claimswhich follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, indep n electric circuits for said motors, a drive sha each of said motors, a driven shaft in a; r. a; ment with each of said drive shafts, a driven member operativeiy connected to one of 5a driven shafts, a second driven member operatively connected to the other of said driven shafts a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts for connecting or disconaszeacsc necting the same, independent operating means for each of said coupling members, a switch in one of said circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with said second motor for opening and closing said switch, a switch in the other of said circuits for controlling said second motor, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with said first motor for opening or closing said last mentioned switch, gearing disposed between said driven shafts whereby either of said driven members may be operated by either of said motors, means for preventing operation of either of said driven members by both of said motors, said last mentioned mean comprising a pair of switches, one of said last mentioned switches being provided in each of said circuits, a gear shifting means adjacent each of said driven shafts for connecting its associated driven shaft with, or disconnecting it from said gearing, means operated by one of said gear shifting means for actuating one of said pair of switches to open position when its associated driven shaft is connected to said gearing and for actuating said switch to closed position when said driven shaft is disconnected from said gearing, and means actuated by the other of said gear shifting means for actuating the other of said pair of switches to open position when its associated driven shaft is connected to said gearing and for actuating said last mentioned switch to closed position when said last mentioned driven shaft is disconnected from said gearing.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft in axial alignment with each of said drive shafts, a driven member operatively connected to one of said driven shafts, a second driven member operatively connected to the other of said driven shafts a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts for connecting or disconnecting the same, independent operating means for each of said coupling members, a switch in one of said circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with said second motor for opening and closing said switch, a switch in the other of said circuits for controlling said second motor, mean operated by the coupling operating means associated with said first motor for opening or closing said last mentioned switch, gearing disposed between said driven shafts whereby either of said driven members may be operated by either of said motors, means for preventing operation of either of said driven members by both of said motors, said last mentioned means comprising a pair of switches, one of said last mentioned switches being provided in each of said circuits, a gear shifting means adjacent each of said driven shafts for connecting its associated driven shaft with, or disconnecting it from said gearin means operated by one of said gear shifting means for actuating one of said pair of switches to open position when its associated driven shaft is connected to said gearing and for actuating said switch to closed position when said driven shaft is disconnected from said gearing, means actuated by the other of said gear shifting means for actuating the other of said pair of switches to open position when its associated driven shaft is connected to said gearing and for actuating said last mentioned switch to closed position when said last mentioned driven shaft is disconnected from said gearing, and reversing switches provided in said circuits for controlling the direction of rotation of said motors.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft adjacent each of said drive shafts, a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts for connecting or disconnecting the same, a switch in one of said circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, and means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the other of said motors for opening or closing said switch.

4. In a device of the class described the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft adjacent each of said drive shafts, a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts for con necting or disconnecting the same, a switch in one of said circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the other of said motors for opening or closing said switch, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the second. motor for opening and closing said switch, a switch in the other of said circuits for controlling said second motor, and means operated by the coupling operating means associated with said first motor for opening or closing said last mentioned switch.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft adjacent each of said drive shafts, a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts, operating means for each of said coupling members for connecting or disconnecting the said drive and driven shafts associated therewith, a switch in one of the circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the other of said motors for opening or closing said switch, mechanism providing a driving connection between said driven shafts whereby both of said driven shafts may be operated by either of said motors, means for actuating said mechanism to connect or disconnect the driving connection between said driven shafts, and means actuated by said last mentioned means for preventing operation of either of said driven shafts by both of said motors at the same time.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft adjacent each of said drive shafts, a coupling member associated with each of said driven and driven shafts, operating means for each of said coupling members for connecting or disconnecting the said drive and driven shafts associated therewith, a switch in one of the circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the other of said motors for opening or closing said switch, gearing disposed between said driven shafts enabling simultaneous operation thereof whereby both of said driven shafts may be actuated by either of said motors, means for shifting said gearing to connect and disconnect the driving connection between said driven shafts, and means actuated by said last mentioned means for preventing operation of either of said driven shafts by both of said motors at the same time.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft adjacent each of said drive shafts, a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts, operating means for each of said coupling members for connecting or disconnecting the said drive and driven shafts associated therewith, a switch in one of the circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the other of said motors for opening or closing said switch, a switch in the other of said circuits for controlling said second motor, means operated by the said coupling means associated with said first motor for opening or closing said last mentioned switch, mechanism providing a driving connection between said driven shafts whereby both of said driven shafts may be actuated by either of said motors, means for actuating said mechanism to connect and disconnect the driving connection between the said driven shafts, and means actuated by said last mentioned means for preventing operation of either of said driven shafts by both of said motors at the same time.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each of said motors, a driven shaft adjacent each of said drive shafts, a coupling member associated with each of said drive and driven shafts, operating means for each of said coupling members for connecting or disconnecting the said drive and driven shafts associated therewith, aswitch in one of the circuits for controlling the operation of one of said motors, means operated by the coupling operating means associated with the other of said motors for opening or closing said switch, a switch in the other of said circuits for controlling said second motor, means operated by the said coupling means associated with said first motor for opening or closing said last mentioned switch, gearing disposed between said driven shafts enabling simultaneous operation thereof whereby both of said driven shafts may be actuated by either of said motors, means for shifting said gearing to connect and disconnect the driving connection between said driven shafts, and means actuated by said last mentioned means for preventing operation of either of said driven shafts by both of said motors at the same time.

9. In a device"of the class described, the combination of a pair of electric motors, independent electric circuits for said motors whereby said motors may be operated simultaneously or independently of each other, a drive shaft for each with the other of said motors for opening or closings said switch, a switch in the other of said circuits for controlling said second motor, means operated by the said coupling means associated aaeaeaa with said first motor for opening or closing said last mentioned switch, gearing disposed between said driven shafts enabling simultaneous operation thereof whereby both of said driven shafts may be actuated by either of said motors, means for shifting said gearing to connect and disconnect th driving connection between said driven shafts, and switch means actuated by said last mentioned means for preventing operation of either of said driven shafts by both of said motors at the same time.

ROBERT C. LAMOND. 

